At a meeting with the German delegation from the Berghof Foundation, Dr Kamal Kharrazi also discussed the Syrian issue and said: “The Astana Process has been effective in diminishing the Syrian crisis, and everyone should support the negotiations and this process.”

He emphasized that the support of the United States and certain Western and Arab countries of the region of the terrorist groups in Syria and the silence of Europe have been the main causes of the crisis in Syria.

The SCFR President noted: “The United States and Saudi Arabia are supporting terrorist groups in Syria and that has to be stopped.”

Dr Kharrazi added: “Iran’s military cooperation with the Syrian government is completely legitimate and our presence in Syria is at the request of Syria’s legitimate government.”

“In the current situation, all countries must support political initiatives to resolve the Syrian crisis,” he said, adding that “the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria by political means.”

“Iran has always made efforts to stabilize the region,” SCFR President emphasized. He also commented on the Iran nuclear deal and said: “Europe’s dignity demands the Europeans resist to American pressure on the issue.”

Also speaking at the meeting, Oliver Wills, director of the Middle East and North Africa Program of the Berghof Foundation, said: “The situation in Yemen is complicated and there are different perspectives on the issue. Yet, there is no encouraging prospect of peace in Yemen, and lack of efforts by the western countries has encouraged the involved parties not to take negotiations seriously.”

On Syria, he expressed hope that considering the Syrian government’s military successes, conditions would be provided for more serious negotiations.

“No longer should there be there talks about Mr Assad’s departure,” Mr Wills said. “But the focus of the dialogues should be on Syria and the Syrian people,” he added.

Berghof Foundation

The Berghof Foundation is a private and well-established institution in Germany that deals with peace and international conflicts resolution. The foundation is operationally involved not enquiry-oriented in the Yemeni and Syrian crises, negotiates directly with local, regional and international parties, and gives advice to the involved parties. The foundation has asserted that its goal is to reduce hostilities.